Classic rally cars to take on WRC elite

Competitors wanting to pit their skills against the sport’s elite have never had such an exciting, varied and affordable way to enter the UK’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Organisers of Wales Rally GB 26-29 October have announced that nationally-registered cars will be eligible for the main WRC event.

Thanks to a new FIA regulation, owners of cars with a national MSA registration – typically older icons such as Mitsubishi Evos and Ford Escorts – can now enter the main four-day international rally.

British crews looking to contest the full international event will be able to take advantage of the discounted British privateer entry fee of £1995 (£1662.50 + VAT) – all they will need is an international competition licence and a car with an MSA Log Book.

A limited number of places have been set aside and interested parties are now invited to register their interest via the walesrallygb.com website, where there are further details.

With crews now able to enter the main event, the WRGB National Rally has been reduced to a two-day format that will be less demanding of both finances and time.

“There should be something for everyone here,” said Ben Taylor, managing director of Wales Rally GB. “Firstly, Britain’s WRC round is now genuinely open to those who want to take on the full challenge – that’s the stuff of personal legends.

“Secondly, the shorter National event should appeal to those who want to have the amazing experience of competing on a huge event, but who will also appreciate the smaller time and money commitment required.”

The National runners will still be an important part of the massive WRC event, based in the busy WRC Rally Village in Deeside and will compete on the same special stages as their WRC counterparts.